Vacancy pack
Dear Applicant
Schools Outreach Project Officer £18,000 – £20,000 per annum pro rata.
Thank you for your enquiry regarding our advertised vacancy. An application form is enclosed, together with
a job description, person specification and other background information about the RSPB. If you have seen
this vacancy advertised on our website, please refer to ‘Working for the RSPB’ which contains information
about our benefits, and terms and conditions. This document can be downloaded if required.
If you require any further information about this post please contact Emma Reed, RSPB Northern England
Office, 1 Sirius House, Amethyst Road, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YL.
Telephone 0191 233 4320 / 07921 495 484.
Please can you complete the enclosed application form in blue or black ink. Please refer to the person
specification when completing the form. Your completed application form should clearly describe how you
meet each of the criteria that have been identified as being necessary for this post as this will form the basis
of shortlisting candidates. If you enclose a CV, it may be referred to for supplementary information, however,
please ensure that all the questions asked on the application form are fully answered.
We take all practicable steps to safeguard the safety and welfare of children or vulnerable adults while they
are in contact with the RSPB and have a Child Safeguarding Policy that supports this. If the post you have
applied for involves unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults further checks will be carried out.
We will also confirm your eligibility to work in the UK prior to appointment.
Completed forms should be returned to Robyn Roberts, RSPB Northern England Office, 1 Sirius House,
Amethyst Road, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YL. Please check the postage
required on your application as incorrect postage may lead to your application being delayed and missing the
closing date. If you require an acknowledgement of receipt of your application, please enclose a stamped,
addressed envelope. Alternatively, you can email your application to [email protected].
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 20 February 2015. Interviews will be held 4
March 2015 in Manchester.
If you are an external candidate, may we take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in employment
with the RSPB. As a charity, we try to keep our administrative costs to a minimum and therefore you will
only be contacted if we wish to progress your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of
the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not
been shortlisted.
We look forward to receiving your application in due course.
Emma Reed
Regional Education Officer
RSPB Northern England Region
This pack contains all the information you need to apply, including:
Useful Information
Details on our Diversity Policy statement, how we use CVs, shortlisting and employment checks and UK
Identification requirements
Applicant letter
Details on how to apply plus closing date and interview date(s)
Job description
A breakdown of the vacancy, including the purpose of the job, requirements, duties and responsibilities
Person specification
A list of criteria that potential candidates should aim to meet
Department information*
Details of the department advertising the post
Application Form
PDF version
Please print out, complete and return to the address on the Applicant letter
Word version
Applicants are encouraged to complete electronically and return by e-mail
* This information will only be provided if it is relevant to this post
Applications from candidates requiring a certificate of sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration
system will not be considered if there are suitable candidates who do not require sponsorship. This is
because employers need to demonstrate that they are unable to recruit a resident worker, before they can
recruit a non-resident worker*.
The resident worker rule does not prevent applicants requiring sponsorship from applying for our vacancies,
but such applications should be made on the understanding that they can only be considered subject to the
restrictions above.
For further information, please visit the Home Office UK Border Agency website.
*This rule does not apply to those applying for roles that require a bachelor, postgraduate degree or
postgraduate certificate in education qualification. It is necessary for the qualification to be an essential
requirement for the role and the applicant to prove that they possess such a qualification (or have completed
a minimum of 12 months study in the UK towards a UK PhD), which is recognised in the UK.
Useful Information
The RSPB is currently going through a job evaluation review. We just wanted to let you know that all jobs
are subject to this review, including our current job vacancies. The results of the job evaluation review and
the new payband structure will be implemented across the RSPB later in 2015 and you will be kept fully
informed of the outcomes.
Diversity Policy Statement
The RSPB is part of a global network that incorporates a diversity of traditions and cultures, and which
represents different inheritances, backgrounds, influences, perspectives and experiences. A better
understanding of people’s differences will help us to appreciate and value everyone’s contribution, and
recognise that we are all an integral and invaluable part of the Society.
Everyone has the right to be treated with consideration and respect. The Society is committed to achieving a
truly inclusive environment for all, by developing better working relationships that release the full potential,
creativity and productivity of each individual, and an atmosphere where everyone can learn, work and live
free from prejudice, discrimination, harassment and violence.
The Society aims to ensure that all staff, volunteers, partners, clients, contractors, members and the general
public are treated fairly. Unless it can be shown to be justified, this will be regardless of sex, sexual
orientation, gender re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, race (including colour, nationality,
ethnicity, or national origin), disability, medical status, age, religion or belief, political opinion, social or
economic status, or ex-offender status.
Use of Curriculum Vitae (CVs)
Our policy is to recruit and employ our employees on the basis of their suitability for the work to be done. An
application form allows us to compare individuals based on like for like information and as such we do not
accept a CV unless accompanied by a fully completed application.
Shortlisting
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to ensuring all applications are treated
fairly. Applications are sought only from those eligible to work in the UK in the first instance.
All applications are subject to our shortlisting process where we only assess information provided against the
Person Specification. If you are shortlisted we will contact you and invite you to attend an interview. You will
also be advised at this point if there will be any skills test, presentations etc.
As a charity, we lack the resources to advise all candidates if their application is unsuccessful. If you do not
hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, we will have decided not to take your application any
further. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you
have not been shortlisted. If this is the case, please do not be discouraged from re-applying as your skills
and experience may be just what we need for our next vacancy. We also have a number of volunteering
opportunities across the organisation.
Employment Checks
All offers of employment are made subject to the following criteria:
Proof of eligibility to work in the UK, Proof of Residency, Satisfactory Employment Health Check,
Two references satisfactory to the Society and where required a Satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau
Check.
Job Description
Job Title:
Schools Outreach Project Officer 0.6FTE
Dept/Section/Region/Reserve:
Education, Families and Youth
Location Of Job:
Manchester
Post holder reports to:
Regional Education Officer
Reporting To Post holder:
Volunteers
Overall Purpose Of The Job:
To co-ordinate and deliver the RSPB’s schools outreach programme in Greater Manchester, establishing
volunteer support to deliver workshops designed to connect children to nature in their school grounds.
Main Duties:
 To deliver high quality outreach workshops to primary schools and early years settings within the
Greater Manchester area.

Recruit, train and manage a team of volunteers to deliver workshops, increasing the number of
schools engaged with across the lifetime of the project.

Promote and market the project to schools and organise bookings.

Liaise with teachers, schools, local authorities and volunteers to explore ways of sustaining and
improving the outreach scheme.

Monitor, evaluate and report on the outcomes of the project.

Promote the project through media interviews and press releases as appropriate.

Encourage schools to continue their journey with the RSPB through Wildlife Action Awards and other
RSPB educational initiatives.
Other Duties:



Ensure appropriate Health, Safety and Welfare policies are followed at all times relating to the
project, children and volunteers.
Work with the project manager to ensure this pilot scheme can be delivered nationally; support the
wider work of the team.
Attend regional and project meetings as required.
The RSPB works for a healthy environment for all and we therefore expect you to take action in accordance
with our Environmental Policy and objectives. Together we can make a positive difference for our world.
You will be expected to apply ‘sound value for money’ principles in undertaking purchasing or supply of
goods and services.
In the RSPB volunteers are a major resource and make a vital contribution to the RSPB’s aim to take action
for the conservation of wild birds and the environment. You will be expected to encourage, develop and
support volunteer involvement in our work.
Additional Information
Schools Outreach Role
Nature should be part of every child’s life, nurturing a love and
understanding of the natural world. Unfortunately, children don’t play
outdoors as much as they used to. And yet we know that when young
people are connected to nature it has enormous benefits to their learning,
health and wellbeing.
School grounds are places where children can experience nature first
hand and discover the wonders of wildlife on a daily basis. Our schools
outreach programme aims to help them do just that with three sessions on
offer:
• Bioblitz – surveying a variety of plants and animals in their habitats and
recording findings
• Birdwatch – observing, analysing and presenting data; making feeders
and birdbaths
• Giving Nature a Home – mapping different habitats and constructing
homes for wildlife
These outdoor sessions will be delivered in Primary Schools in Greater Manchester, Birmingham, London
and Glasgow, as part of a 3 year pilot project which aims to develop a model that is both scalable nationally
and sustainable financially.
The project officer will relate to the regional team and other local partnerships but will also benefit from being
part of a national schools outreach team.
Greater Manchester
The RSPB has a history of working in the Greater Manchester area with the formation of the embryonic
organisation at Fletcher Moss in Didsbury in 1889.
Since 2007 we have been delivering a Date with Nature in Manchester City Centre, in partnership with
Manchester City Council. We have also been attending events, working in museums and parks across
Greater Manchester. RSPB and Manchester City Council have recently developed this partnership working
to include delivery across Fletcher Moss and Chorlton Water Park, providing opportunities for families to
connect with nature amongst other activity.
From 2010 RSPB and United Utilities formed a partnership at Dove Stone in the Peak District, to the North
East of the city on the outskirts of Oldham delivering benefits for wildlife and people.
Job Title: Schools Outreach Project Officer
Person Specification
Region /Dept:
How criteria will be tested : A = Application Form, T = Test, I = Interview, P = Personality test, O = Other
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
1 Good standard of education including English and Maths to
GCSE or equivalent
Experience
2 Managing a project to completion
A T
x
A T
x
x
I P O Qualifications
a A qualification in an environmental subject and/or a
teaching qualification
Experience
x
b Experience of promoting/marketing a project
3
Recruitment and management of volunteers
4
x
x
x
x
c
Managing a small budget
x
x
x
d
Working with early years and secondary aged children
x
x
5
Delivering curriculum linked activities to primary school aged x
children
Delivering training sessions
x
x
e
Press interviews or preparing press releases
x
x
6
Preparing and giving presentations
x x x
f
x
x
7
Experience of working as part of a team
x
x
g
Delivering activities to groups of children in an outdoor
setting.
Creating and adapting learning materials/activities
x
x
x
x
Skills/Abilities
h Imaginative approach to teaching
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Knowledge
i
Knowledge of the formal education system
x
x
x
x
x
x
Skills/Abilities
8 Ability to manage a group of children and sustain their
interest and involvement in activities
9 Excellent verbal communication skills, inspirational
communicator and good listener
10 Effective organisational skills particularly forward planning
11 Good negotiation and networking skills
12 General administration skills.
Knowledge
13 Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office particularly
Word and Excel.
14 Good knowledge of nature conservation
Behaviours/Circumstances
15 An ability to keep a sense of perspective in difficult
circumstances
16 Demonstrable enthusiasm for the role, must be able to show
self-motivation
17 Passionate about wildlife and its conservation
18 Adaptable and flexible
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
j
How to develop school grounds for wildlife
Behaviours/Circumstances
k Able to establish a rapport quickly with both children and
adults
I P O
APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
PLEASE REFER TO VACANCY DETAILS FOR RETURN ADDRESS
Job Ref. No.
A4590115
Position applied for
Location
How did you first learn of this vacancy?
Identification details
(BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE)
Surname
Dr/Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Other
Forenames
Address
Postcode
Email address
May we, with discretion, phone you at work?
Home tel no
Yes
No
Business tel
no
Do you hold a current, valid driving licence?
If yes, what type?
If yes, do you have any current endorsements?
If yes, please give details of any current endorsements.
Yes
Full
Yes
No
Provisional
No
Qualifications relevant to this application (including technical and/or professional).
Please provide details (note that these may be verified on appointment)
Current membership of any professional or technical organisations.
Please provide details (note that these may be verified on appointment)
Application Pack July 2012
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered
charity: England and Wales No. 207076 Scotland No. SC037654
Employment history
Please give details of all jobs held, including part-time and unpaid work, starting with your current
or most recent employer. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
Employer’s full name &
address
Job title/
Key achievements & areas
of responsibility
Length of time in job/
Reasons for leaving/
Final salary in role
Relevant skills/knowledge/experience
You should outline below how your skills/knowledge/experience meet the requirements of the Person
Specification. You may draw on past employment and/or out of work activities. Please include details
of any scientific papers you have had published. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
Why are you interested in applying for this post?
Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
Length of notice
Declaration
The information on this form will be used for recruitment and selection purposes only and if your
application is successful it will form part of your employment record. All unsuccessful applications will
be destroyed twelve months after the closing date for positions advertised in Scotland, England and
Wales and three years after the closing date for positions advertised in Northern Ireland.
Are you eligible to work in the UK ?
Yes

No

For Internal applicants only: In the event of my application being successful give my permission for
the HR Department to approach my line manager for an internal reference.
If it is discovered that you have given any information, which you know to be false, or withhold any
relevant information your application may be rejected or any subsequent employment terminated.
I confirm that the information contained in this application form is correct.
Signature ...................................................................................... ……………………………………….
Date
.................................................................................................................................................
Application Pack July 2012
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered
charity: England and Wales No. 207076 Scotland No. SC037654